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In September, Soroptimist International joined with over 90 NGOs to sign a statement calling upon the Member States of the UN to include mental health as a non-communicable disease (NCDs), in recognition of the fact that good health requires mental well being in addition to physical well being. This was presented during the UN General Assembly High Level Meeting on NCDs, held 19-20 September, 2011.

Soroptimist International is pleased to report that this statement was taken into consideration and recommendations included in the final declaration. Mental health references were included in the resulting Political Declaration by the General Assembly.  Paragraphs 5, 17 and 18 reflect the efforts of many people and organisations advocating for the inclusion of mental health as a risk factor, its co-morbidity with other NCDs, and the need for an integrative health approach that includes mental health in the treatment and prevention of NCDs. 

We, Heads of State and Government and representatives of States and Governments, assembled at the United Nations from 19 to 20 September 2011

5) Reaffirm the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health;

17) Note further that there is a range of other non-communicable diseases and conditions, for which the risk factors and the need for preventive measures, screening, treatment and care are linked with the four most prominent non-communicable diseases;

18) Recognise that mental and neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, are an important cause of morbidity and contribute to the global non-communicable disease burden, for which there is a need to provide equitable access to effective programmes and health-care interventions.

Soroptimist International, together with the NGO Committee on Mental Health, looks forward to the next steps of agreeing the targets, timelines, and review processes that are to be put into place for NCDs.

To read the full document please click here: Political Declaration

To read more about the statement, click here.